The Welsh Government is supporting pharmacies to install prescription collection automation for as little as £6250.

The Welsh Government has shown its commitment to delivering the vision for community pharmacy services in Wales by announcing a very attractive capital funding package. Applicants may apply for up to £25,000 to support pilots of automated systems such as the MedPoint which can be used to support patients’ access to vital medicines.

A recent letter to contractors in Wales from the Pharmacy & Prescribing branch of the Welsh Government’s states that:

“Ensuring medicines are supplied through pharmacy in a way that meets the changing needs of citizens, whilst improving access to regular advice and expertise is one of the guiding principles set out in Pharmacy: Delivering a Healthier Wales.”

At MedPoint we have already seen a large increase in the number of enquiries from Welsh pharmacy operators as a result of this announcement as they seek to explore all of the potential solutions available on the market.

Are MedPoints eligible for funding?

The MedPoint range of automated 24/7 collection points are suited to a range of settings with both built-in ‘ATM’ styles as well as the unique and completely free-standing MedPoint SOLO. The SOLO is designed to sit in any outdoor location such as Health Centre car parks and takes up less room than an average car-parking space.

As the only British designed and built pharmacy automation product with a background in operating pharmacies ourselves, the MedPoint team are acutely alive to the challenges faced by UK pharmacy operators. As a result, MedPoint are ideally placed to help contractors concerned about the further disruption that Brexit and Covid-19 could potentially cause with imported automated solutions such as the impact of tariffs,  travel restrictions, and border disruption upon the installation, support & ongoing maintenance.

How do pharmacy owners apply?

Community pharmacies in Wales are invited to submit an expression of interest by 6^th November 2020 to the Pharmacy and Prescribing Branch of the Welsh government to apply for the funding. A fixed grant of £25,000 per pharmacy is available with pharmacy owners needing to contribute match-funding of 25% (up to £6,250).

Expressions of interest should “demonstrate how automation will improve efficiency in current operations and improve patients’ access to their medicines in response to the issues seen in the early weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in reducing unnecessary footfall and supporting maintaining social distancing.”

We at MedPoint are delighted to support customers in demonstrating this requirement through our data, insights and previous success in meeting national criteria to award funding and, in particular, can assist with:

• A description of the technology;
• Outline of efficiencies expected from implementing the technology;
• Outline of expected benefits to patients and the community;

An independent panel is set to assess the applications and, given the generous funding on offer, it is anticipated that a large number of applications will be made.

Get in touch if you would like support with your application.